Target Schools for Orange County

Looking to go to grad school (MBA or MRED) as a means to relocate to the US, with a particular interest in living in Orange County or LA. Wondering if anyone has insight into what schools and programs are best suited for this, with development or REPE being my end goal.

Outside of UCLA / USC / Berkeley, are there any other schools I should be applying to? I don’t expect to be able to get into the top schools in the M7, but potentially the bottom tier schools in this bracket.

Regarding MBA or MRED, MRED is obviously cheaper, but I am at the director level (ignore title). But I also have a finance undergrad and CFA designation, so I don’t anticipate learning much in an MBA program.

Thanks in advance!

16 Comments
 

I honestly think you’d be fine going anywhere as long as it’s a reputable name and you focus your networking efforts on SoCal while in school. Like I’m pretty certain UMich-Ross or IU-Kelley or UT-Mccombs would recruit as good if not better than UCSD or Pepperdine

 

Orange County is not a place I would want to start a real estate career. Work in LA until you're 30-35 and then move to Orange County. 

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

VP in RE - Other

Respectfully disagree. Have you lived in SoCal? OC is a real estate HUB.

I literally live in Orange County. Not a better place for someone my age in the country. 

I would still pick LA 10/10 times in my 20’s 

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Would be within this age range post-graduation (hence why I’m wondering if an MBA would be better). A big attraction of SoCal to me is the beach, and it seems like Newport is likely the biggest hub with proximity to it? Not ruling LA out, but my goal would be to find something close to the beach / where I am not stuck with a brutal commute in either direction.

 
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